The factors of COVID-19 isolation, an increased demand for backyard pools and the Louisiana fire have combined to create the worst chlorine shortage the country has ever seen.
The shortage is due to increased demand for pool supplies during the pandemic and a chemical fire at a BioLab facility in Louisiana after Hurricane Laura that knocked out one of the country's three main chlorine manufacturers.
Between the pandemic and a catastrophic fire, the U.S. is currently experiencing a major shortage of chlorine tablets. But it doesn't have to end your summer swimming fun. The COVID-19 pandemic caused waves in the world of shipping and manufacturing, leading to shortages of appliances, lumber, electronics, and more.
When will the 2021 chlorine shortage end? Fowler says it's really hard to tell right now, and we agree. “I don't see this getting back to normal until maybe the 2022 pool season. I think a lot of people have learned a lot of things as a result of this, the chlorine shortage and COVID combined.
When it comes to the shortage of chlorine, though, the pandemic-related issue is actually increased demand. Construction of new pools in 2020 went up nearly 25% over 2019, and the trend only continues to rise. With each new pool comes more demand for pool supplies like chlorine.
Rising Costs of Chlorine in 2022
Between high demand and material availability, we have seen multiple price increases across every channel in our industry. Does this mean that the cost of chlorine is going to keep rising? Unfortunately, yes. We expect chlorine costs to continue to rise next year.
Once COVID hit, everybody wanted a pool.” Healy said the combination of lower supply and increased demand has hit the pool industry hard. Many pool stores have not been able to get any chlorine from suppliers. However, Healy said Splash Pool Supply is still stocked with chlorine products — they're just more expensive.
No one can predict exactly how soon the semiconductor chip shortage will end. But experts seem to agree that the shortage will persist until the second half of 2022. Some auto executives are estimating production will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023.
The new facility will replace the old manufacturing plant and restore the jobs that were lost resulting from its destruction. It is expected to be completed in 2022.
That boom, experts say, created even more demand for chlorine. Then a manufacturing facility of one of the country's major suppliers of chlorine tablets, BioLab, burned down last August, right after Hurricane Laura. The plant, located near Lake Charles, Louisiana, expects to resume operations by spring 2022.
While it's being rebuilt, the plant isn't expected to reopen until 2022. That's left homeowners and pool-maintenance companies to scurry for supplies this year, and those who can find the tablets are paying higher prices.
The reason why trichlor tablets are so expensive and why they are sold out at many pool supply stores is because of the national trichlor supply shortage.
Chlorine is a sanitizer, and (unless you use Baquacil products) is necessary for maintaining a clear and healthy pool. Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly.
The RC-35/22 Cell – Maximum recommended residential pool size is 35,000 gallons. Produces 200 lbs. of pure gas chlorine at the average cell price of $382.99. Produces 200 gallons of liquid chlorine at the average price of $2.25 per gallon = $450.00.
A rule of thumb is 1.5 lbs. of baking soda per 10,000 gallons of water will raise alkalinity by about 10 ppm. If your pool's pH tested below 7.2, add 3-4 pounds of baking soda. If you're new to adding pool chemicals, start by adding only one-half or three-fourths of the recommended amount.
Short answer: yes. Longer answer: it depends on the formulation. The label on every bleach bottle should tell you the ratio of sodium hypochlorite (and available chlorine) in the bottle to everything else. A higher percentage is generally better, as you'll need to use less bleach to treat your pool.
Mineral Swim is the only system of it's kind combining Australian made ozone water purification technology with 100% natural Dead Sea minerals to make it the safest, healthiest swimming pool about.
A confluence of problems led to the semiconductor shortage. In addition to long-standing issues within the industry, such as insufficient capacity at semiconductor fabs, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges. For instance, automakers cut their chip orders in early 2020 as vehicle sales plummeted.
Inventory Shortage Continues Into 2022
According to Tyson Jominy, J.D. Power's vice president of data and analytics, vehicle inventory is still at rock-bottom levels despite the recent production recoveries.
The shortage can be traced back to the first half of 2020, when overall consumer demand for cars declined during the lockdown. This forced chip manufacturers to shift their focus to other areas, such as computer equipment and mobile devices, which spiked in demand with more people working remotely.
While it's being rebuilt, the plant isn't expected to reopen until 2022. That's left homeowners and pool-maintenance companies to scurry for supplies this year, and those who can find the tablets are paying higher prices.
Bromine is the number one alternative to chlorine. This chemical is known to be a sanitizer, oxidizer, and algaecide for swimming pools. The reason why spa and hot tub owners prefer bromine over chlorine is that it works better in warmer temperatures.
There are 50 three-inch chlorine tablets on average in a 25 lb bucket or box. For one-inch tablets, on average, there are 80 tablets in a 25 lb bucket or box.
Chlorine works faster to kill contaminants but for a shorter period of time, as it dissipates faster. Bromine kills contaminants more slowly but for a longer period of time; plus, it can help keep water chemistry more balanced due to its low pH, meaning less chemical adjusting is needed.